Grantown Initiative and Grantown-on-Spey and Vicinity Community Council recently wrote to The Highland Council regarding the changes to parking arrangements in Grantown-on-Spey which appear to have been made without due consultation with community organisations or consideration for businesses in Grantown-on-Spey. We believe that changes made to the parking arrangements in Grantown-on-Spey have resulted in a dangerous situation for drivers and pedestrians, are potentially damaging to businesses in the town and generally make the Square far less attractive to visitors. Meanwhile Highland Council has failed to provide adequate additional parking in spite of the fact that it holds land at the former council depot which could be used for such. A review of these newly made parking restrictions and a meeting to discuss was requested by both groups. Whilst we support the principle of Highland Council taking civil enforcement powers in respect of parking in Grantown, we must object to the implementation of this draft Order. We feel that that the Parking Scheme recently introduced in Grantown, over which Highland Council appears to be seeking these powers, is not fit for purpose. Not only does it raise serious safety concerns but it has removed essential parking bays around the Square and along the High Street. Not having had the opportunity to discuss the recently introduced parking scheme, Grantown Initiative now requests that The Highland Council takes immediate steps to rectify these issues enact sensible parking restrictions in Grantown-on-Spey. Specifically we request the following changes; • The removal of the parking bay(s) opposite the Co-Operative which have added to congestion around the busy High street / Seafield Avenue junction and have created a hazardous situation for pedestrians and motorists alike. • Removal of the chicane style parking bays along the length of the square which creates congestion, particularly around the Bus Stops where busses cannot properly access the stops due to parked cars. We would suggest that spaces be realigned to allow easier access for buses and freer flowing traffic and reduce unnecessary congestion. • Removal of the new double yellow lines, which have robbed the square of 20 parking places. • The creation of a new off street parking facility to provide sufficient parking for the town as a whole. This could be provided at the site of the old council yard adjacent to Grantown Primary. This could also be used to provide a safe drop off area for the school. • Provide an opportunity for the community to have a say in parking restrictions in Grantown-on-Spey

The safety of our children and families is at the forefront of this petition. Providing an off road drop off zone will provide children with a safe passage to School. It will alleviate the current pressure on the surrounding streets, which currently results in dangerous parking and frustration for parents, drivers and local residents.

The excessive number of flies present in the village (and surrounding villages) is having a detrimental effect on the lives of residents and their families. A constant threat of disease and bacteria, material internal damage to property and expenditure on sprays, screens, tapes and specialist equipment is making peoples lives a misery. We know that it has been a hot summer, but the sheer volume of flies is due to more than the weather and living in a rural area. The image at the top of the page was taken in a West Dereham House. The owner is scrubbing every surface clean each day with bleach in desperation to rid the house of flies and their detritus, only for it to return to this state the following day. Another resident described her young daughter in tears as she abandoned her breakfast due to flies crawling all over the table and the bowl she was eating from. Others have said that family and friends refuse to visit because of the flies, whilst some avoid returning home because of the misery that awaits them. Residents have come forward to say they are reduced to tears by being unable to cook a meal cleanly and safely - just simple things that we take for granted. Anyone that has children will understand what it is like to worry about keeping them safe and healthy and for the residents of West Dereham (and the other villages affected) this is at the forefront of their mind 24 hours a day. Houseflies are known to act as vessels for over 100 pathogens - really nasty bugs and diseases which they spread as they crawl across food and surfaces. When flies feed they first release saliva and digestive juices over food and then sponge up the resulting solution. Enough to give you nightmares particularly when you have a young family. We are asking our MP to take action on our behalf and to apply pressure to both the Environment Agency and King's Lynn Borough council to take urgent action. If nothing is done, we face being in exactly this situation again in 2019. Please support us in pressing for action to be taken by signing this petition.

Stoke-on-Trent has the dubious distinction of being called the Monkey Dust capital of the U.K. A blite on the reputation and economy of Stoke-on-Trent. We the undersigned, are disgusted and ashamed that Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire Police, rather than tackling the supply and use of drugs and other street crimes, are focusing on the homeless and fining them £100. This proposal is not only sadistic but increases the pressure on the police, courts, probation services as well as council resources, during a time of peak demand and will do nothing to reduce genuine homelesses. We demand that as the Councillor responsible for Communities, you take immediate action to stop the persecution of the most vulnerable people in our city and drop plans to fine the genuinely homeless. This is the second year in a row that Stoke-on-Trent City Council has attempted to victimise the homeless and profit from their misfortune In a move so disgusting that Scrooge himself would be ashamed by it. Homelessness will not end by hiding the problem nor profiting from their misery but by acting with compassion, decency and vision. To be clear, we have no objection to the prosecution of criminals, who feign homelessness to take advantage of the public or aggressively beg for money, however, we seek an acceptance and protection for the genuine homeless.

The pub was sold to developers by Young’s Brewery, even though an offer to purchase to run this as a community pub was made not far off the full market value. This was declined by them. Meanwhile locals were informed that the pub was being sold as a going concern only to find it boarded up overnight and sold to developers. The William IV is the only non-gastro, hotel or family orientated pub left in the village. It had planning rejected on it in the past as the council deemed it important to the community. It has a very special atmosphere and there are very few places in the country left like this pub. The William IV is the beating heart of our community, where community and charitable events are organised, old and young mix and discussions are held on village life. Once the pub is developed it will be will be gone forever. Since its closure, people are travelling outside the village to socialise and have been split apart. Please list this pub as an Asset of Community Value, so we have the chance to rescue the heart of our village.

Lancashire voted against allowing fracking in their county, and the government undemocratically over-ruled this. Fracking is well known to have a seriously destructive impact upon the environment. The freedom to make a peaceful protest is something to be proud of in this country, and with these sentences, the judiciary have violated that right. Only by over-ruling the sentence can this basic human right be restored.

The news that cash machines are closing at a record rate is alarming. Over two million Britons rely on cash for their day-to-day shopping, including many of society’s most vulnerable, such as older people and those on low incomes. And cash is essential for many small businesses. Removing dozens of isolated machines will leave many communities entirely without access to their money. The banks claim this is just a reflection of changed consumer behaviour - with lots of people not using cash anymore. But a majority of people choose to use cash regularly, and the public’s demand for cash is greater than ever before - 77 percent of people consider access to a free-to-use cash machine as essential to their lives. This is about banks putting the cash machine network under pressure to cut costs, combined with card companies’ efforts to make cash machines unprofitable. The regulator needs to step in to make sure our voices as consumers are being represented.

Some Fair trade organisations are struggling to balance their books. I do not want to lose Fair trade organisations. They provide help in overseas countries in a way which matters. These organisations give assistance to producers so that they may work and provide for their families and community. This means that they can work their way out of poverty, and with dignity and pride. I am a fair trader in a church in S E London. The goods we sell are of a nice quality, and we are helping in a small way. I, for one, want to see the UK Fairtrade organisations continue with their vital work - bringing help to where it really matters. Help to the producers themselves. We need to bring this to the attention of the UK Government. The aim of the petition is for the Government to help Fairtrade providers to continue. Yes this will include financial help by grant or loan initially. More importantly, the government needs to work with Fairtrade organisations to craft long term trading deals and good practice. The organisations' wealth of experience and trading partnerships should be a model for the government to use in overseas aid.

This bus is used by many people in the local community to keep their independence. Elderly, disabled people and school children use this bus on a regular basis and for some it is a way of keeping their independence. The nearest bus stop is not accessible. The Number 6 bus is also struggling as it is a single decker and the buses are very crowded and struggling to cope with demand.

In the Islamic faith, like Christianity and Judaism, Muslims are also obligated to attend a short sermon one day a week, like church on Sunday and synagogue on the Sabbath. The sermon is followed by a short prayer and lasts usually around an hour, between 1-2pm every Friday at the mosque. It is compulsory for Muslims to offer Friday prayer in congregation at the mosque. EVIDENCE FROM THE HOLY QURAN: Chapter Al-Jumu'ah [62:9] ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Students that have compulsory lectures/tutorials/workshops/exams are placed in a difficult dilemma where they are forced to compromise between their religion or falling behind on their education. Whilst both faith and education are recognised as important, students shouldn't have to face this predicament. The university for many centuries, has facilitated both by providing prayer spaces throughout the establishment. This demonstrates the recognition of equality and freedom to practise faith by this establishment, within the education environment, and is acknowledged and greatly appreciated by the student community. As representatives on behalf of the Muslim student community, we at the 'Aberdeen University Muslim Student Association’ would greatly appreciate if we were granted the opportunity to open a dialogue with university spokesman, in order to hopefully find a feasible solution to resolve this issue and come to a fair compromise.

It is adding to the high levels of air pollution already experienced in Derby. It is not in line with Government clean air targets for Derby. The smell and noise is having a detrimental effect on local residents. Forthcoming Incineration taxes will make it a costly burden. The 25 year contract commits Derby and surrounding Derbyshire areas to polluted air for the next 25 years.

Nethercote Gardens is a cul-de-sac with several specific strengths and challenges. The River Cole on which we sit is a haven for local wildlife and must be protected - our low position also puts us at risk of flooding and our road was disproportionately affected by such flooding earlier this year. Many residents feel that recent housing developments which have been completed in recent years have increased the risk of localised flooding; by increasing concrete and build areas we are rapidly losing valuable soft ground which absorbs water. This creates water run off during times of extreme weather and means homes like ours are more likely to flood. Adding another property to the road will be to the detriment of our local wildlife population which local residents are already fighting to support. The plot on which the development is planned sits immediately opposite 177a Nethercote Gardens which is a shared supported living home for people with assessed care. The residents of this property are extremely vulnerable adults and not able to object to this build, which would impact their daily lives, on their own behalf. Our residents have faced and are facing enough challenges due to our unique position and feel that we have been let down at numerous points by the local authority over the years, by allowing local building work, by not having adequate flood supports in place both during and after such events. Our small community are opposed to this build and will keep campaigning to ensure that it does not go ahead. Please, please sign our petition and add to our collective voice - we need to make some noise about this; small builds that negatively impact residents can sneak under the radar but they all add up to people having lower quality of life and our countryside being affected. Enough is enough. Please, please sign our petition. Thank you. "What we allow will continue."